Learn Backgammon

Learn backgammon notation - It Helps Eliminate Mistakes in Future Games

By mastering backgammon notations, a form of shorthand, you can later review moves you made in a game and better analyze mistakes you made or moves that worked. Here are some things you need to know:

Black wins the opening roll with a 4-2 (with black rolling a 4 and white rolling a 1).

In backgammon notation, write 1. Black 42: 8/4 6/4
That means: On the first roll of the game, Black rolled 42 and moved a checker from the 8-point to the 4-point and another piece from the 6-point to the 4-point.

On 2nd roll, white throws a 6-4 and moves one of his two checkers from the 1-point to the 11-point. It would be written in backgammon notation like this: 2. White 64: 1/11

Notation for rolling doubles: White 22: 17/19 (2) 16/18 (2)

That means white moved two checkers from the 17 point to the 19 point and 2 checkers from the 16 point to the 18 point

Hitting a blot: When someone hits a blot, use the symbol * for instance: White 54:13/22*

That means white rolled a 5-4 and moved a checker from the 13 point to the 22 point and hit a blot, sending it to the bar.

Bearing off: The notation /off is used to illustrate checkers that were borne off.

For example: White 63: 6/off 3/off

That means white rolled a 6-3 and bore off two of his opponent’s checkers.

Read more Backgammon Rules and Strategies